Enzyme feed additive and animal feed including it

ABSTRACT

The use is provided of a composition as a feed additive which comprises one or more endoglucanases, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the composition, of a cellobiohydrolase. The endoglycanases may be one or more of EGI, EGII, EGIII and any functionally active derivative of any thereof. Such endoglucanases may be obtained from a genetically modified strain of the fungus  Trichoderma.  Also provided is an enzyme-based feed additive which comprises EGI and/or EGII which lack the cellulose binding domain, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the additive, of a cellobiohydrolase. A further enzyme-based feed additive is provided which comprises a cereal-based carrier, one or more endoglucanases, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the additive, of a cellobiohydrolase.

The present invention relates to an enzyme feed additive, and in particular to such an additive, which can decrease the feed conversion ratio of a cereal-based feed and/or increase its digestibility.

Improvements in animal feeds to enable animals to digest them more efficiently are constantly being sought. One of the main concerns is to improve the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of a feed without increasing its cost per unit weight. The FCR is the ratio of the amount of feed consumed relative to the weight gain of an animal. A low FCR indicates that a given amount of feed results in a growing animal gaining proportionately more weight. This means that the animal is able to utilise the feed more efficiently. One way in which the FCR of a feed can be improved is to increase its digestibility.

There are various constraints on the digestibility of the nutritional components of a feed such as its starch, fat, protein and amino acid content. These constraints include:

-   -   (i) the viscosity of materials present in the animal's gut. Such         viscosity is due, at least in part, to soluble non-starch         polysaccharides such as mixed-linked β-glucans and         arabinoxylans;     -   (ii) entrapment of nutrients within the cell walls of the feed,         particularly those of the aleurone layer in cereals. Such         entrapment is caused by the high levels of non-starch         polysaccharides in the cell walls of cereals which are         relatively resistant to break-down by the animal's digestive         system. This prevents the nutrients entrapped within the cells         from being nutritionally available to the animal; and     -   (iii) a deficiency in endogenous enzyme activity, both of the         animal and of the gut microbial population particularly in a         young animal.

The above problems which interfere with digestibility are particularly noticeable in the case of cereal-based diets, and in particular those having a high barley content.

Due to the problem of poor digestibility of nutrients from the feed, it is normally necessary to formulate feeds to contain higher levels of energy providing materials in order to meet the nutritional demands of animals. Such energy providing materials conventionally include starch, fat, sugars, fibre etc. The requirement of including these energy providing materials, or sources of such materials, in a feed adds a considerable extra cost which is disadvantageous from an economic view point.

In an attempt to solve the problem of poor digestibility of cereal-based feeds, it is known to include enzyme supplements such as β-glucanases or xylanases in animal feeds. For example, WO 91/04673 discloses a feed additive for alleviating malabsorption syndrome in poultry which causes reduced digestion. The additive includes a cellulase and a xylanase. JP-A-60-75238 discloses a feed for domestic animals which contains an enzyme cocktail including protease-, cellulase-, amylase- and lipase-activities. This reference speculates that these various enzyme activities enable fermentation microbes to grow and that these become useful nutritional components of the feed.

Whole cellulase is a mixture of different enzymes which cooperate to hydrolyze cellulose (β-1,4-D-glucan linkages) and/or derivatives thereof (e.g. phosphoric acid swollen cellulose) and give as primary products compounds such as glucose, cellobiose, and cellooligo-saccharides. Whole cellulase is made up of several different enzyme classifications including enzymes having exo-cellobiohydrolase activity, endoglucanase activity and β-glucosidase activity.

For example, the whole cellulase produced by the fungus Trichoderma longibrachitum comprises two exo-cellobiohydrolases, CBHI and CBHII, at least three endoglucanases, EGI, EGII and EGIII, and at least one β-glucosidase. A representative fermentation from T. longibrachiatum may produce a whole cellulase including by protein weight 45-55% CBHI, 13-15% CBHII, 11-13% EGI, 8-10% EGII, 1-4% EGIII and 0.5-1% BG. However, it should be noted that actual concentrations of a specific cellulase component will vary according to numerous factors, including fermentation conditions, substrate concentrations and strain type. Thus, in a representative fermentation, Trichoderma longibrachiatum produces a whole cellulase having from 58-70% of cellobiohydrolases.

Each endoglucanase of T. longibrachiatum has its own distinct characteristics. Thus, EGI in addition to cellulase activity is known to hydrolyze xylan. EGII and EGIII by comparison do not show significant xylanase activity, at least according to azo-xylan native PAGE overlay. Further, it is known that EGI, EGII and EGV contain structurally distinct cellulose binding domains (CBD's). On the other hand, EGIII does not appear to contain a structurally distinct binding domain and has been shown to have a lower affinity for crystalline cellulose compared to EGI or EGII.

WO 92/06209 discloses processes for transforming the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei (now called “T. longibrachiatum”) which involves the steps of treating a T. reesei strain with substantially homologous linear recombinant DNA to permit homologous transformation and then selecting the resulting T. reesei transformants. For instance, transformants are described in which certain targeted genes are deleted or disrupted within the genome and extra copies of certain native genes such as those encoding EGI and EGII are homologously recombined into the strain. It is noted in this reference that cellulase compositions obtained from strains deficient in CBHI and CBHII components are useful as components of a detergent cleaning composition. Such cellulase compositions are of course relatively enriched.

When used in vivo, endoglucanases and cellobiohydrolases are considered to act synergistically in the hydrolysis of cellulose to small cello-oligosaccharides (mainly cellobiose), which are subsequently hydrolysed to glucose by the action of β-glucosidase. In addition to hydrolyzing the β-1,4 linkages in cellulose, endo-1,4-β-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) will also hydrolyze 1,4 linkages in β-glucans also containing 1,3-linkages. The endoglucanases act on internal linkages to produce cellobiose, glucose and cello-oligosaccharides. The cellobiohydrolases act on the chain ends of cellulose polymers to produce cellobiose as the principal product.

Whole cellulase obtained from T. longibrachiatum has been used in combination with barley in fields such as brewing and in animal nutrition for several years. One of the benefits of adding cellulases to barley-based diets for livestock is to increase the digestibility of various components present in the diet including protein and amino acids. As a result, dietary input costs can be reduced without loss of performance, and excretion of nitrogen in the manure can be significantly reduced. This reduces the environmental impact of intensive livestock farming.

Endosperm cell walls of barley contain a high proportion of high molecular weight, water-soluble mixed-linked β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucans. When solubilised, these polysaccharides cause an increase in the solution's viscosity. For example, if barley is fed to broiler chickens, this leads to a relatively high level of viscosity in the region of their gastrointestinal tract, which results in reduced efficiency of digestion and growth depression.

Organisms which produce or express cellulase enzyme complexes often also express xylanase activity. For example, two different xylanase enzymes produced by T. longibrachiatum have been identified. The purification of these two different xylanases, one referred to as high pI xylanase (having a pI of about 9.0) and the other referred to as low pI xylanase (having a pI of about 5.2), as well as the cloning and sequencing of the gene for each xylanase is described in detail in WO 92/06209 and WO 93/24621. FIG. 16 of this document sets out the deduced amino acid sequences for both the low pI and high pI gene products. Example 22 also teaches how to create T. longibrachium strains which over-express the low pI and high pI xylanase genes.

As mentioned above, the use of cellulases as an additive to animal feeds is known in the art. Such cellulases of course possess a natural balance between their cellobiohydrolase and endoglucanase contents. As also mentioned above, in naturally occurring strains of T. longibriachiatum, the CBHs may comprise 58-70% by weight of the cellulase proteins.

The present invention is based upon a study to identify which components of the cellulase proteins are able to improve the nutritional benefits of cereal-based feeds such as those including barley. Specific attention has been paid to the effects of the individual enzymes constituting whole cellulase, and in particular the endoglucanases, on viscosity reduction of soluble mixed-linked β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucans of barley. This is because this is known to be one of the primary modes of action of whole cellulase. The present invention has been made as a result of this research to identify those specific components of the cellulase enzyme system, and their relative amounts, which advantageously improve the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of a cereal-based feed and/or increase its digestibility.

In the description and claims which follow, the following are definitions of some of the technical terms which are employed.

“Fungal cellulase” means an enzyme composition derived from fungal sources or microorganisms genetically modified so as to incorporate and express all or part of the cellulase genes obtained from a fungal source.

The term “Trichoderma” refers to any fungal strain which is or has previously been classified as Trichoderma or which is currently classified as Trichoderma. Such species include Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma reesei and Trichoderma viride.

The term “EG” refers to any endoglucanase, for example EGI, EGII, EGIII or EGV produced by T. longibrachiatum, or any derivative of any such endoglucanase which possesses endoglucanase activity.

An EG “derivative” includes for example, EGI, EGII, EGIII and EGV from Trichoderma in which there is an addition of one or more amino acids to either or both of the C- and N-terminal ends of the EG, a substitution of one or more amino acids at one or more sites throughout the EG, a deletion of one or more amino acids within or at either or both ends of the EG, or an insertion of one or more amino acids at one or more sites in the EG such that endoglucanase activity is retained in the derivatized EG. The term EG “derivative” also includes the core domains of the endoglucanase enzymes that have attached thereto one or more amino acids from the linker regions.

The term “truncated cellulase”, as used herein, refers to a protein comprising a truncated cellulase core of exo-cellobiohydrolase or endoglucanase, for example, EGI, EGII, EGV, CBHI and CBHII, or derivatives of either. EGV is described in Molecular Microbiology, Vol. 13, No. 2 (1994) at pages 219-228. As stated above, many cellulase enzymes, such as EGI, EGII and EGV, are believed to be bifunctional in that they contain regions or domains which are directed toward both catalytic or hydrolytic activity with respect to the cellulose substrate, and also non-catalytic cellulose binding activity. Thus, a truncated cellulase is a cellulase which lacks binding domain cellulose binding activity.

It is believed that the catalytic core and the cellulose binding domain of a cellulose enzyme act together in a synergistic manner to effect efficient hydrolysis of cellulose fibers in a cellulose containing feed. It is further believed that cellulase catalytic activity and cellulose binding activity may be identified as being specific to distinct structural regions, or may be present in the same structural region. For example, as indicated above, many cellulase enzymes, including several of those from T. longibrachiatum are known to incorporate a catalytic core domain subunit which is attached via a linker region to a cellulose binding domain subunit. However, other cellulase enzymes are believed to have a catalytic core domain which is structurally integral to a cellulose binding domain, e.g., the two regions are not separated by a linker and do not represent distinct structural entities. In such a cellulase enzyme, it is believed that a specific peptide or group of related amino acid residues may be responsible for cellulose binding activity. Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present invention that such a binding domain would be altered so as to reduce the cellulose binding activity of the cellulase by, for example, genetic engineering or chemical modification.

A “truncated cellulase derivative” encompasses a truncated cellulase core, as defined herein, wherein there may be an addition or deletion of one or more amino acids to either or both of the C- and N-terminal ends of the truncated cellulase, or a substitution, insertion or deletion of one or more amino acids at one or more sites throughout the truncated cellulase. Derivatives are interpreted to include mutants that preserve their character as truncated cellulase core, as defined below. It is also intended that the term “derivative of a truncated cellulase” includes core domains of the exoglucanase or endoglucanase enzymes that have attached thereto one or more amino acids from the linker regions.

A truncated cellulase derivative further refers to a protein substantially similar in structure and biological activity to a truncated cellulase core domain protein, but which has been genetically engineered to contain a modified amino acid sequence. Thus, provided that the two proteins possess a similar activity, they are considered “derivatives” as that term is used herein even if the primary structure of one protein does not possess the identical amino acid sequence to that found in the other.

It is contemplated that a truncated cellulase derivative may be derived from a DNA fragment encoding a truncated catalytic core domain which further contains an addition of one or more nucleotides internally or at the 5′ or 3′ end of the DNA fragment, a deletion of one or more nucleotides internally or at the 5′ or 3′ end of the DNA fragment or a substitution of one or more nucleotides internally or at the 5′ or 3′ end of the DNA fragment wherein the functional activity of the catalytic core domain (truncated cellulase derivative) is retained. Such a DNA fragment (“variant DNA fragment”) comprising a cellulase catalytic core may further include a linker or hinge DNA sequence or portion thereof which is attached to the core or binding domain DNA sequence at either the 5′ or 3′ end wherein the functional activity of the encoded truncated cellulase core domain (truncated cellulase derivative) is retained.

The term “truncated cellulase core” or “truncated cellulase region” refers herein to a peptide comprising the catalytic core domain or region of exo-cellobiohydrolase or endoglucanase, for example, EGI, EGII or EGIII or a derivative thereof that is capable of enzymatically cleaving cellulose polymers, including but not limited to pulp or phosphoric acid swollen cellulose. However, a truncated cellulase core will not possess cellulose binding activity attributable to a cellulose binding domain or region. A truncated cellulase core is distinguished from a non-truncated cellulase which, in an intact form, possesses no cellulose binding domain or region. A truncated cellulase core may include other entities which do not include cellulose binding activity attributable to cellulose binding domain or region. For example, the presence of a linker or hinge is specifically contemplated. Similarly the covalent attachment of another enzymatic entity to the truncated cellulase core is also specifically contemplated.

The performance (or activity) of a protein containing a truncated catalytic core or a derivative thereof may be determined by methods well known in the art. (See Wood, T. M. et al. in Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 160, Editors: Wood, W. A. and Kellogg, S. T., Academic Press, pp. 87-116, 1988). For example, such activities can be determined by hydrolysis of phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose and/or soluble oligosaccharides followed by quantification of the reducing sugars released. In this case the soluble sugar products, released by the action of cellobiohydrolase or endoglucanase cellulase core domains or derivatives thereof, can be detected by HPLC analysis or by use of calorimetric assays for measuring reducing sugars. It is expected that these catalytic domains or derivatives thereof will retain at least 10% of the activity exhibited by the intact enzyme when each is assayed under similar conditions and dosed based on similar amounts of catalytic domain protein.

The term “cellulose binding domain” refers herein to an amino acid sequence of the endoglucanase comprising the binding domain of an endoglucanase, for example, EGI or EGII, that non-covalently binds to a polysaccharide such as cellulose. It is believed that cellulose binding domains (CBDS) function independently from the catalytic core of the endoglucanase enzyme to attach the protein to cellulose. Truncated endoglucanases used in this invention lack the CBD but include at least the core or catalytic domain.

The term “linker region” or “hinge region” refers to the short peptide region that links together the two distinct functional domains of the fungal endoglucanases, i.e., the core domain and the binding domain. These domains in T. longibrachiatum cellulases are linked by a peptide rich in Ser, Thr and Pro.

A “signal sequence” refers to any sequence of amino acids bound to the N-terminal portion of a protein which facilitates the secretion of the mature form of the protein outside of the cell. This definition of a signal sequence is a functional one. The mature form of the extracellular protein lacks the signal sequence which is cleaved off during the secretion process.

The term “host cell” means both the cells and protoplasts created from the cells of Trichoderma.

The term “DNA construct or vector” (used interchangeably herein) refers to a vector which comprises one or more DNA fragments or DNA variant fragments encoding any one of the truncated endoglucanases or derivatives described above.

The term “functionally attached to” means that a regulatory region, such as a promoter, terminator, secretion signal or enhancer region is attached to a structural gene and controls the expression of that gene.

The term “whole cellulase” means the complete cellulase system as produced by a naturally occurring microorganism.

Based upon the above considerations, it is an object of the present invention to provide enzyme-based feed additives which improve the FCR and/or increase the digestibility of a cereal-based feed.

According to one aspect, the present invention provides the use of a composition as a feed additive which comprises one or more endoglucanases, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the composition, of a cellobiohydrolase.

As mentioned above, whole cellulase from T. longibrachiatum (i.e. strains occurring naturally) typically contains 58-70% by weight of cellobiohydrolases or more based on the total weight of enzymes having cellulase activity. The composition for use as a feed additive provided by the present invention may be obtained by enriching the content of endoglucanases produced by a suitable microorganism through purification, addition of purified endoglucanase or by adding additional genes to overproduce endoglucanase. In addition, or alternatively, the relative content of cellobiohydrolases produced by the microorganism may be decreased compared to whole cellulase through purification procedures or by modifying or deleting those genes which encode cellobiohydrolase. It is particularly preferred that the feed additive should be free of cellobiohydrolases, so that their content in the additive is 0% by weight.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides an enzyme-based feed additive which comprises at least one of EGIII, EGI which lacks the cellulose binding domain and EGII which lacks the cellulose binding domain, and 0-20% by weight based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the additive, of a cellobiohydrolase.

The production of such structurally modified endoglucanases by genetic engineering techniques is described in detail below.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides an enzyme-based feed additive comprising a cereal-based carrier, one or more endoglucanases, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the additive, of a cellobiohydrolase. In such an additive, the cereal-based carrier may be milled wheat, maize or milled soya. Further, the carrier may be a by-product of any of these materials.

Endoglucanases suitable for use in the present invention include those derived from bacterial sources, for example, Bacillus sp., including Bacillus subtilis, Streptomyces sp., Clostridium sp., including Clostridium thermocellum and Clostridium cellulovorans. Alternatively, fungal sources of cellulase are suitable. Suitable fungal sources include Trichoderma sp., Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma koningii, Myceliophthora sp., Phanerochaete sp., Schizophyllum sp., Pencillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Geotricum sp., Fusarium sp., Fusarium oxysporum, Humicola sp., Humicola insolens, and Mucor sp., including Mucor miehei.

Endoglucanase type components may not include components traditionally classified as endoglucanases using activity tests such as the ability of the component (a) to hydrolyze soluble cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), thereby reducing the viscosity of CMC containing solutions, (b) to readily hydrolyze hydrated forms of cellulose such as phosphoric acid, swollen cellulose (e.g., Walseth cellulose) and hydrolyze less readily the more highly crystalline forms of cellulose (e.g., Avicel, Solkafloc, etc.). On the other hand, it is believed that not all endoglucanase components, as defined by such activity tests, will enhance the nutritional value of feeds. Accordingly, it is more accurate for the purposes herein to define endoglucanase type components as those enzymes which possess feed nutritional enhancement properties comparable to those possessed by the endoglucanase components of Trichoderma longibrachiatum.

Fungal cellulases can contain more than one endoglucanase type component. The different components generally have different isoelectric points, different molecular weights, different degrees of glycosylation, different substrate specificities, different enzymatic action patterns, etc. The different isoelectric points of the components allow for their separation via ion exchange chromatography and the like. In fact, the isolation of components from different sources is known in the art. See, for example Bjork et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,463; Schulein et al., International Application WO 89/09259; Wood et al., Biochemistry and Genetics of Cellulose Degradation, pp. 31-52 (1988); Wood et al., Carbohydrate Research, Vol. 190, pp. 279-297 (1989); and Schulein, Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 160, pp. 234-242 (1988). The entire disclosure of each of these references is incorpoated herein by reference.

The term “EGI cellulase” refers to the endoglucanase component derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum spp. characterized by a pH optimum of about 4.0 to 6.0, an isoelectric point (pI) of from about 4.5 to 4.7, and a molecular weight of about 47 to 49 Kdaltons. Preferably, EGI cellulase is derived from either Trichoderma longibrachiatum or from Trichoderma viride. EGI cellulase derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum has a pH optimum of about 5.0, an isoelectric point (pI) of about 4.7 and a molecular weight of about 47 to 49 Kdaltons. EGI cellulase derived from Trichoderma viride has a pH optimum of about 5.0, an isoelectric point (pI) of about 5.3 and a molecular weight of about 50 Kdaltons.

It is noted that EGII has previously been referred to as “EGIII” by some authors but current nomenclature uses the term EGII. In any event the EGII protein differs substantially from the EGIII protein in its molecular weight, pI and pH optimum. The term “EGII cellulase” refers to the endoglucanase component derived from Trichoderma spp. characterized by a pH optimum of about 4.0 to 6.0, an isoelectric point (pI) of about 5.5, and a molecular weight of about 35 Kdaltons. Preferably, EGII cellulase is derived from either Trichoderma longibrachiatum or from Trichoderma viride.

The term “EGIII cellulase” refers to the endoglucanase component derived from Trichoderma spp. characterized by a pH optimum of about 5.0 to 7.0, an isoelectric point (pI) of from about 7.2 to 8.0, and a molecular weight of about 23 to 28 Kdaltons. Preferably, EGIII cellulase is derived from either Trichoderma longibrachiatum or from Trichoderma viride. EGIII cellulase derived from Trichoderma longibrachiatum has a pH optimum of about 5.5 to 6.0, an isoelectric point (pI) of about 7.4 and a molecular weight of about 25 to 28 Kdaltons. EGIII cellulase derived from Trichoderma viride has a pH optimum of about 5.5, an isoelectric point (pI) of about 7.7, and a molecular weight of about 23.5 Kdaltons.

“Exo-cellobiohydrolase type components” (“CBH type components”) refers to all those cellulase components which exhibit similar feed activity properties to CBHI and CBHII of Trichoderma longibrachiatum. In this regard, when used in combination with EG type components, CBHI and CBHII type components (as defined above) reduce the effectiveness of a cellulase supplement for animal feed in terms of the feed conversion ratio and/or feed digestibility.

Such exo-cellobiohydrolase type components may not include components traditionally classed as exo-cellobiohydrolases using activity tests such as those used to characterize CBHI and CBHII from Trichoderma longibrachiatum. For example, such components (a) are competitively inhibited by cellobiose (K; approximately 1 mM); (b) are unable to hydrolyze to any significant degree substituted celluloses, such as carboxymethylcellulose, etc., and (c) hydrolyze phosphoric acid swollen cellulose and to a lesser degree highly crystalline cellulose. On the other hand, it is believed that some cellulase components which are characterized as CBH components by such activity tests, will enhance the nutritional value of feeds. Accordingly, it is believed to be more accurate for the purposes herein to define such exo-cellobiohydrolases as EG type components because these components possess similar functional properties in animal uses comparable to those of the endoglucanase components of Trichoderma longibrachiatum.

“β-glucosidase (BG) components” refer to those components of cellulase which exhibit BG activity; that is to say that such components will act from the non-reducing end of cellobiose and other soluble cellooligosaccharides (‘cellobiose”) and give glucose as the sole product. BG components do not adsorb onto or react with cellulose polymers. Furthermore, such BG components are competitvely inhibited by glucose (K_(i) approximately 1 mM). While in a strict sense, BG components are not literally cellulases because they cannot degrade cellulose, such BG components are included within the definition of the cellulase system because these enzymes facilitate the overall degradation of cellulose by further degrading the inhibitory cellulose degradation products (particularly cellobiose) produced by the combined action of CBH components and EG components. Without the presence of BG components, moderate or little hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose will occur. BG components are often characterized by using aryl substrates such as p-nitrophenol-β-D-glucoside (PNPG) and thus are often called aryl-glucosidases. It should be noted that not all aryl-glucosidases are BG components, in that some do not hydrolyze cellobiose.

It is contemplated that the presence or absence of BG components in the cellulase composition can be used to regulate the activity of any CBH components in the composition. Specifically, because cellobiose is produced during cellulose degradation by CBH components, and because high concentrations of cellobiose are known to inhibit CBH activity, and further because such cellobiose is hydrolyzed to glucose by BG components, the absence of BG components in the cellulase composition will “turn-off” CBH activity when the concentration of cellobiose reaches inhibitory levels. It is also contemplated that one or more additives (e.g., cellobiose, glucose, etc.) can be added to the cellulase composition to effectively “turn-off”, directly or indirectly, some or all of the CBHI type activity as well as other CBH activity. When such additives are employed, the resulting composition is considered to be a composition suitable for use in this invention if the amount of additive is sufficient to lower the CBH type activity to levels equal to or less than the CBH type activity levels achieved by using the cellulase compositions described herein.

On the other hand, a cellulase composition containing added amounts of EG components may increase overall hydrolysis of cellulose if the level of cellobiose generated by the CBH components becomes restrictive of such overall hydrolysis in the absence of added BG components.

Methods to either increase or decrease the amount of BG components in the cellulase composition are disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 07/807,028 filed Dec. 10, 1991 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/625,140, filed Dec. 10, 1990 (corresponding to EP-A-0 562 003), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Fungal cellulases can contain more than one BG component. The different components generally have different isoelectric points which allow for their separation via ion exchange chromatography and the like. Either a single BG component or a combination of BG components can be employed.

In a preferred embodiment, the endoglucanase components suitable for use in the present invention are those which exhibit properties similar to those obtainable from Trichoderma longibrachiatum, i.e., EGI, EGII and EGIII. Thus, the term “EG type components’ refers to all of those cellulase components or combination of components which confer improved properties to feed in a manner similar to the endoglucanase components of Trichoderma longibrachiatum. In this regard, the endoglucanase components of Trichoderma longibrachiatum (specifically, EGI, EGII, EGIII and the like, either alone or in combination) impart characteristics such as improved feed conversion ratio, reduced gut viscosity and improved animal weight gain to animals fed grains treated with them as compared to untreated feed, or feed treated with whole cellulase. Methods for the preparation of EGI, EGII and EGIII are described in detail in WO 92/06209.

It is possible that components other than CBH type components present in the whole cellulase composition may cause undesirable gut viscosity, feed conversion ratio increase and lessened animal weight gain. Therefore, it is contemplated that the use of enriched endoglucanases, such as EGI, EGII or EGIII, may eliminate some or all of the problems which occur when whole cellulase is used.

It has been found that the inclusion of an endoglucanse enriched feed additive in a cereal-based diet of an animal enables the animal to digest the diet more efficiently. This is particularly the case in cereal-based feeds including barley where the presence of the above feed additive improves the feed conversion ratio and/or increases the digestibility of the cereal-based feed. Cereal-based feeds usually include at least 25% by weight of cereal and preferably at least 35% by weight. In addition to or instead of barley, the cereal may include one or more of wheat, triticale, rye and maize.

The endoglucanase enriched feed additives provided by the present invention also enable a conventional cereal-based feed to be modified by reducing its energy, and/or protein, and/or amino acid content whilst simultaneously maintaining the same nutritional levels of energy, protein, and amino acids available to the animal. This means that the amounts of costly energy and protein supplements conventionally included in an animal feed can be reduced as compared to conventional feeds. Energy supplements include fat. Protein supplements include fish-meal, wheat-meal, soya-bean, rapeseed, or canola. This results in a significant reduction in the cost per unit weight of the animal feed without decreasing its nutritional value. Alternatively, or even additionally, the amounts of amino acid supplements can be reduced as compared to conventional feeds which can also result in significant cost savings.

The enzyme feed additive according to the present invention can be prepared in a number of ways. For instance, it can be prepared simply by mixing different enzymes having the appropriate activities to produce an enzyme mix. This enzyme mix can be either mixed directly with a feed, or more conventionally impregnated onto a cereal-based carrier material such as milled wheat, maize or soya flour. A by-product of any of these products may also be used. Such an impregnated carrier constitutes an enzyme feed additive in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention.

As an alternative, a cereal-based carrier formed from e.g. milled wheat or maize can be impregnated either simultaneously or sequentially with enzymes having the appropriate activities. For example, a milled wheat carrier may be sprayed with the one or more endoglucanases. Other enzymes may also be incorporated as appropriate. The carrier material impregnated with these enzymes also constitutes an enzyme feed additive in accordance with the third aspect of the present invention.

The feed additive provided by the present invention may be mixed directly with the animal feed, such as one comprising barley, to prepare the final feed. Alternatively, the feed additive may be mixed with one or more other feed additives such as a vitamin feed additive, a mineral feed additive and an amino acid feed additive. The resulting feed additive including several different types of components can then be mixed in an appropriate amount with the feed.

The resulting cereal-based feed preferably comprises 0.000001-0.1 g/kg of total endoglucanases, more preferably 0.00001-0.01 g/kg and most preferably 0.0001-0.001 g/kg.

The endoglucanases for use in the feed additive of the present invention can be obtained by growing a fungus such as a naturally occurring strain of Trichoderma. Thus, the fungus can be cultivated, after which it is removed from the broth. The cellulase enzyme complex can then be isolated from the broth and separated into its individual components from which the endoglucanases are in turn isolated. This technique is however not so preferred because of the purification steps necessary.

A more preferred method of preparing the enzyme feed additive of the present invention is to construct by genetic manipulation a host microorganism, such as the fungus Trichoderma, which produces the desired enzymes in the appropriate relative amounts. This can be done for instance by increasing the copy number of the gene encoding endoglucanases (e.g. EGI, EGII and/or EGIII) and/or by using a suitably strong promoter in front of any of the above endoglucanase genes. Alternatively or additionally the host strain can be deleted for certain cellulase genes (e.g. those encoding CBHI and/or CBHII). Such procedures are fully explained in the disclosure of WO 92/06209 in the case of transforming T. reesei.

The enzyme feed additive provided by the present invention may also include other enzymes such as xylanase, protease, α-amylase, glucoamylase, lipase, pectinase, mannanase, α-galactosidase, α-arabinofuranosidase or phytase. Enzymes having the desired activities may for instance be mixed with the endoglucanases used in the present invention either before impregnating these on a cereal-based carrier or alternatively such enzymes may be impregnated simultaneously or sequentially on such a cereal-based carrier. The carrier is then in turn mixed with a cereal-based feed to prepare the final feed. It is also possible to formulate the enzyme feed additive as a solution of the individual enzyme activities and then mix this solution with a feed material pre-formed as pellets or as a mash.

It is also possible to include the enzyme feed additive in the animals' diet by incorporating it into a second (and different) feed or drinking water which the animal also has access to. Accordingly, it is not essential that the enzyme mix provided by the present invention is incorporated into the cereal-based food itself, although such incorporation forms a particularly preferred aspect of the present invention.

In one preferred embodiment, the xylanase added as an additional enzyme is the high pI xylanase and/or the low pI xylanase obtainable from T. longibrachiatum obtainable by the method of Example 22 of WO 92/06209. It is particularly preferred that the xylanase is the high pI xylanase.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protease added as an additional enzyme is subtilisin or mutant thereof derived from the genus Bacillus. Suitable strains of Bacillus include but are not limited to B. amyloliquefaciens, B. lentus, B. licheniformis, B. subtilis, or B. alcalophilus.

The subtilisin may also be a mutant subtilisin having an amino acid sequence not found in nature but which is derived from a precursor subtilisin by inserting, deleting or replacing one or more different amino acid residues in the precursor subtilisin. Suitable mutant subtilisins are described in EP-A-0 130 756 corresponding to US-Re-34686 (including mutations at positions +155, +104, +222, +166, +133, +169, +189, +217, +156, +152); EP-A-0 251 446; WO 91/06637 etc. The most preferred subtilisin is a mutant subtilisin which comprises a substitution at the amino acid residue position equivalent to tyr+217 of B. amyloliquefaciens subtilisin with leucine.

Methods of producing such mutant subtilisins are described in detail in the publications US-Re-34606 and EP-A-0 251 446.

The cereal-based animal feeds including the additive of the present invention are suitable for animals such as pigs, ruminants such as sheep and cows, and poultry such as chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks. The feeds though are particularly suitable for poultry and pigs, and in particular broiler chickens.

As previously mentioned, the enzyme feed additive according to the present invention is preferably obtained by growing a genetically modified strain of the fungus Trichoderma. This is because of its well known capacity to secrete whole cellulases in large quantities. This modified strain may be derived from T. longibrachiatum, T. reesei or T. viride. The genome of such strains can be modified to over-express or delete one or more of the enzyme components making up whole cellulase.

Microorganism cultures are grown to a stationary phase, filtered to remove the cells and the remaining supernatant is concentrated by ultrafiltration to obtain the endoglucanase or derivative thereof.

In a particular aspect of the above method, the medium used to cultivate the transformed host cells may be any medium suitable for endoglucanase production in Trichoderma. The endoglucanase or derivative thereof is recovered from the medium by conventional techniques including separation of the cells from the medium by centrifugation, or filtration, precipitation of the proteins in the supernatant or filtrate with salt, for example, ammonium sulphate, followed by chromatography procedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography and the like.

Alternatively, the final protein product may be isolated and purified by binding to a polysaccharide substrate or antibody matrix. The antibodies (polyclonal or monoclonal) may be raised against endoglucanase core domain peptides, or synthetic peptides may be prepared from portions of the core domain and used to raise polyclonal antibodies.

It is further contemplated by the present invention that the DNA fragment or variant DNA fragment encoding the endoglucanase or derivative may be functionally attached to a fungal promoter sequence, for example, the promoter of the cbh1 or egl1 gene. Also contemplated by the present invention is manipulation of the Trichoderma strain via transformation such that a DNA fragment encoding an endoglucanase or derivative thereof is inserted within the genome. It is also contemplated that more than one copy of an endoglucanase DNA fragment or DNA variant fragment may be recombined into the strain.

A selectable marker must first be chosen so as to enable detection of the transformed fungus. Any selectable marker gene which is expressed in Trichoderma can be used in the present invention so that its presence in the transformants will not materially affect the properties thereof. The selectable marker can be a gene which encodes an assayable product. The selectable marker may be a functional copy of a Trichoderma gene which if lacking in the host strain results in the host strain displaying an auxotrophic phenotype.

The host strains used could be derivatives of Trichoderma which lack or have a non-functional gene or genes corresponding to the selectable marker chosen. For example, if the selectable marker of pyr4 is chosen, then a specific pyr derivative strain is used as a recipient in the transformation procedure. Other examples of selectable markers that can be used in the present invention include the Trichoderma genes equivalent to the Aspergillus nidulans genes argB, trpC, niaD and the like. The corresponding recipient strain must therefore be a derivative strain such as argB⁻, trpC⁻, niaD⁻, and the like.

The strain is derived from a starting host strain which is any Trichoderma strain. However, it is preferable to use a T. longibrachiatum cellulase over-producing strain such as RL-P37, described by Sheir-Neiss et al. in Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnology, 20 (1984) pp. 46-53, since this strain secretes elevated amounts of cellulase enzymes. This strain is then used to produce the derivative strains used in the transformation process.

The derivative strain of Trichoderma can be prepared by a number of techniques known in the art. An example is the production of pyr4⁻ derivative strains by subjecting the strains to fluoroorotic acid (FOA). The pyr4 gene encodes orotidine-5′-monophosphate decarboxylase, an enzyme required for the biosynthesis of uridine. Strains with an intact pyr4 gene grow in a medium lacking uridine but are sensitive to fluoroorotic acid. It is possible to select pyr4⁻ derivative strains which lack a functional orotidine monophosphate decarboxylase enzyme and require uridine for growth by selecting for FOA resistance. Using the FOA selection technique, it is also possible to obtain uridine requiring strains which lack a functional orotate pyrophosphoribosyl transferase. It is possible to transform these cells with a functional copy of the gene encoding this enzyme (Berges and Barreau, 1991, Curr. Genet. 19, pp 359-365). Since it is easy to select derivative strains using the FOA resistance technique in the present invention, it is preferable to use the pyr4 gene as a selectable marker.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Trichoderma host cell strains are deleted of one or more cellobiohydrolase genes prior to introduction of a DNA construct or plasmid containing the DNA fragment encoding the endoglucanase of interest. It is preferable to express an endoglucanase, derivative thereof or covalently linked endoglucanase domain derivative in a host that is missing one or more cellobiohydrolase genes in order to simplify the identification and subsequent purification procedures. Any gene from Trichoderma which has been cloned can be deleted such as cbh1 or cbh2.

The desired gene that is to be deleted from the transformant is inserted into a plasmid by methods known in the art. This plasmid is selected such that unique restriction enzyme sites are present therein to enable the fragment of Trichoderma DNA to be subsequently removed as a single linear piece. The plasmid containing the gene to be deleted or disrupted is then cut at appropriate restriction enzyme site(s), internal to the coding region, the gene coding sequence or part thereof may be removed therefrom and the selectable marker (e.g. pry 4) inserted. Flanking DNA sequences from the locus of the gene to be deleted or disrupted, preferably between about 0.5 to 2.0 kb, remain on either side of the selectable marker gene.

A single DNA fragment containing the deletion construct is then isolated from the plasmid and used to transform the appropriate pyr⁻ Trichoderma host. Transformants are selected based on their ability to express the pyr4 gene product and thus complement the uridine auxotrophy of the host strain. Southern blot analysis is then carried out on the resultant transformants to identify and confirm a double cross-over integration event which replaces part or all of the coding region of the gene to be deleted with the pyr4 selectable markers.

Although specific plasmid vectors are described above, the present invention is not limited to the production of these vectors. Various genes can be deleted and replaced in the Trichoderma strain using the above techniques. Any available selectable markers can be used, as discussed above. Potentially any Trichoderma gene which has been cloned, and thus identified, can be deleted from the genome using the above-described strategy.

The expression vector of the present invention carrying the inserted DNA fragment or variant DNA fragment encoding the endoglucanase or derivative thereof of the present invention may be any vector which is capable of replicating autonomously in a given host organism, typically a plasmid. In preferred embodiments two types of expression vectors for obtaining expression of genes or truncations thereof are contemplated. The first contains DNA sequences in which the promoter, gene coding region, and terminator sequence all originate from the gene to be expressed. Gene truncation if required is obtained by deleting away the undesired DNA sequences (coding for unwanted domains) to leave the domain to be expressed under control of its own transcriptional and translational regulatory sequences. A selectable marker is also contained on the vector allowing the selection for integration into the host of multiple copies of the novel gene sequences.

For example, a DNA construct which can be termed pEGID3′pyr contains the EGI cellulase core domain under the control of the EGI promoter, terminator, and signal sequences. The 3′ end on the EGI coding region containing the cellulose binding domain has been deleted. The plasmid also contains the pyr4 gene for the purpose of selection.

The second type of expression vector is preassembled and contains sequences required for high level transcription and a selectable marker. It is contemplated that the coding region for a gene or part thereof can be inserted into this general purpose expression vector such that it is under the transcriptional control of the expression cassette's promoter and terminator sequences.

For example, pTEX is such a general purpose expression vector. Genes or part thereof can be inserted downstream of the strong CBHI promoter.

In the vector, the DNA sequence encoding the endoglucanase should be operably linked to transcriptional and translational sequences, i.e., a suitable promoter sequence and signal sequence in reading frame to the structural gene. The promoter may be any DNA sequence which shows transcriptional activity in the host cell and may be derived from genes encoding proteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell. The signal peptide provides for extracellular expression of the endoglucanase or derivatives thereof. The DNA signal sequence is preferably the signal sequence naturally associated with the truncated gene to be expressed, however the signal sequence from any endoglucanase is contemplated in the present invention.

The procedures used to ligate the DNA sequences coding for the truncated endoglucanases or derivatives thereof with the promoter, and insertion into suitable vectors containing the necessary information for replication in the host cell are well known in the art.

The DNA vector or construct described above may be introduced in the host cell in accordance with known techniques such as transformation, transfection, microinjection, microporation, biolistic bombardment and the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modified strain is derived from Trichoderma sp. containing deleted or disrupted genes for CBHI and/or CBHII thereby being unable to produce catalytically active cellobiohydrolase. The cellulase enzymes produced by such an organism will be enriched in endoglucanases and include no more than 20% cellobiohydrolases based upon the combined weight of cellulase proteins which it produces. It is particularly preferred that the modified strain is unable to produce catalytically active CBHI as this enzyme forms the greatest proportion of any component of whole cellulase from Trichoderma sp.

In instances where only production of EGIII is desired, it is further preferred that such a modified strain contains deleted or disrupted genes for EGI and EGII so as to be unable to produce catalytically active EGI and/or EGII.

Alternatively, the modified strain can additionally contain recombinant DNA allowing expression and secretion of truncated catalytic cores of either EGI or EGII. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the presence of a cellulose binding domain on a cellulase may be responsible for certain undesirable properties observed when animals are fed feed supplemented with cellulase, e.g. increased gut viscosity. Accordingly, by removing the cellulose binding domain and retaining an intact cellulase core, it is possible to limit or eliminate these properties.

Before describing methods of producing such truncated endoglucanases, the following provides a detailed description of the drawings which is necessary to understand these production techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the genomic DNA and amino acid sequence of EGI. The signal sequence begins at base pair 113 and ends at base pair 178 (Seq ID No. 13). The catalytic core domain begins at base pair 179 through 882 of exon one, and base pair 963 through base pair 1379 of the second exon (Seq ID No. 5). The linker region begins at base pair 1380 and ends at base pair 1460 (Seq ID No. 9). The cellulose binding domain begins at base pair 1461 and ends at base pair 1616 (Seq ID No. 1). Seq ID Nos. 14, 6, 10 and 2 represent the amino acid sequence of EGI signal sequence, catalytic core domain, linker region and binding domain, respectively.

FIG. 2 depicts the genomic DNA and amino acid sequence of EGII. The signal sequence begins at base pair 262 and ends at base pair 324 (Seq ID No. 15). The cellulose binding domain begins at base pair 325 and ends at base pair 432 (Seq ID No. 3). The linker region begins at base pair 433 and ends at base pair 534 (Seq No. 11). The catalytic core domain begins at base pair 535 through base pair 590 in exon one, and base pair 765 through base pair 1689 in exon two (Seq ID No. 7). Seq ID Nos. 16, 4, 12 and 8 represent the amino acid sequence of EGII signal sequence, binding domain, linker region and catalytic core domain, respectively.

FIG. 3 depicts the genomic DNA and amino acid sequence of EGIII. The signal sequence begins at base pair 151 and ends at base pair 198 (Seq ID No. 19). The catalytic core domain begins at base pair 199 through base pair 557 in exon one, base pair 613 through base pair 833 in exon two and base pair 900 through base pair 973 in exon three (Seq ID No. 17). Seq ID Nos. 20 and 18 represent the amino acid sequence of EGIII signal sequence and catalytic core domain, respectively.

FIG. 4 illustrates the construction of EGI core domain expression vector (Seq ID No. 21).

FIG. 5 is a graph demonstrating the initial viscosity-reducing activity of whole cellulase and various enriched endoglucanase preparations at different pHs.

As mentioned above, the one or more endoglucanases present in the enzyme feed additive of the present invention may be truncated EG derivatives such as EGI which lacks the cellulose binding domain (which can be termed EGI core) and/or EGII also lacking the cellulose binding domain. These derivatives are prepared by recombinant methods by transforming into a host cell, a DNA construct comprising at least a fragment of DNA encoding a portion or all of the core region of the endoglucanases, for example, EGI or EGII functionally attached to a promoter, growing the host cell to express the truncated endoglucanase, derivative of truncated endoglucanase or covalently linked truncated endoglucanase domain derivatives of interest. The resulting truncated endoglucanase can be used once separated from the microrganism cells as a feed additive. As an alternative, the truncated endoglucanase, or derivative thereof may in addition be purified to substantial homogeneity prior to use.

The following Reference Examples 1 and 2 are provided in order to illustrate techniques for producing endoglucanase enriched enzyme compositions by transforming and growing genetically modified microorganisms.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1 Cloning and Expression of EGI Core Domain Using Its Own Promoter, Terminator and Signal Sequence

Part 1. Cloning.

The complete egl1 gene used in the construction of the EGI core domain expression plasmid, pEGID3′pyr, was obtained from the plasmid pUC218::EGI. (See FIG. 4.) The 3′ terminator region of EGI was ligated into pUC218 (Korman, D. et. al. Curr Genet 17:203-212, 1990) as a 300 bp BsmI-EcoRI fragment (the BsmI site is at 46 bp 3′ of the egl1 stop codon) along with a synthetic linker designed to replace and cellulose binding domain of egl1 with a stop codon and continue with the first 46 bp of the egl1 terminator sequence. The resultant plasmid, pEGIT, was digested with HindIII and BsmI and the vector fragment with the egl1 terminator was isolated from the digest by agarose gel electrophoresis followed by electroelution. The egl1 gene promoter sequence and core domain of egl1 were isolated from pUC218::EGI as a 2.3 kb HindIII-SstI fragment and ligated with the same synthetic linker fragment and the HindIII-BsmI digested pEG1T to form pEGID3′

The net result of these operations is to replace the 3′ intron and cellulose binding domain of EGII with synthetic oligonucleotides of 53 and 55 nt. These place a TAG stop codon after serine 415 and thereafter continued with the EGIIl terminator up to the BsmI site.

Next, the T. longibrachiatum selectable marker, pyr4, was obtained from a previous clone p219M (Smith et. al. 1991), as an isolated 1.6 kb EcoRI-HindIII fragment. This was incorporated into the final expression plasmid, pEGID3′pyr, in a three way ligation with pUC18 plasmid digested with EcoRI and dephosphorylated using calf alkaline phosphatase and a HindIII-EcoRI fragment containing the EGII core domain from pEGID3′.

Part 2. Transformation and Expression.

A large scale DNA prep was made of pEGID3′pyr and from this the EcoRI fragment containing the EGII core domain and pyr4 gene was isolated by preparative gel electrophoresis. The isolated fragment was transformed into a strain (1A52pyr13) in which the cbh1, cbh2, egl1 and egl2 genes had been deleted and which was pyr4⁻ (described in WO 92/06209) and stable transformants were identified.

To select which transformants expressed egl1 core domain the transformants were grown up in shake flasks under conditions that favored induction of the cellulase genes (Vogel's medium +1% lactose). After 4-5 days of growth, protein from the supernatants was concentrated and either 1) run on SDS polyacrylamide gels prior to detection of the EGI core domain by Western analysis using anti-EGI polyclonal antibodies or 2) the concentrated supernatants were assayed directly using Remazol Brilliant Blue (RBB) carboxy methyl cellulose as an endoglucanase specific substrate and the results compared to the parental strain (1A52) as a control. Transformant candidates were identified as possibly producing a truncated EGI core domain protein. Genomic DNA and total mRNA was isolated from these strains following growth on Vogels +1% lactose and Southern and Northern blot experiments performed using an isolated DNA fragment containing only the egl1 core domain. These experiments demonstrated that transformants could be isolated having a copy of the egl1 core domain expression cassette integrated into the genome of 1A52 and that these same transformants produced egl1 core domain mRNA.

One transformant was then grown using media suitable for cellulase production in Trichoderma well known in the art that was supplemented with lactose (Warzymoda, M. et. al. 1984 French Patent No. 2555603) in a 14 L fermentor. The resultant broth was concentrated and the proteins contained therein were separated by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the EGI core domain protein identified by Western analysis. It was subsequently estimated that the protein concentration of the fermentation supernatant was about 5-6 g/L of which approximately 1.7-4.4 g/L was EGI core domain based on CMCase activity. This value is based on an average of several EGI core fermentations that were performed.

In a similar manner, any other endoglucanase whether truncated or not or derivative thereof may be produced by procedures similar to those discussed above. Thus production of EGI can be achieved by using similar techniques except that deletion of the cellulose binding domain is omitted. Corresponding techniques can be used to produce complete EGII, EGIII, and EGII from which the cellulose binding domain is omitted.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 2 Purification of EGI and EGII Catalytic Cores

Part 1. EGI Catalytic Core

The EGI core was purified in the following manner. The concentrated (UF) broth was diluted to 14 mg/ml in 23 mM Na Acetate pH 5.0. Two hundred grams of avicel cellulose gel (FMC Bioproducts, Type PH-101) was added to the diluted EGI core broth and mixed at room temperature for forty five minutes. The avicel was removed from the broth by centrifugation, resulting in an enriched EGI core solution. This solution was then buffer exchanged into 10 mM TES pH 7.5 using an Amicon stirred cell concentrator with a PM 10 membrane (diaflo ultra filtration membranes, Amicon Cat # 13132MEM 5468A). The EGI core sample was then loaded onto an anion exchange column (Q-sepharose fast flow, Pharmacia Cat # 17-0510-01) and eluted in a salt gradient from 0 to 0.5M NaCl in 10 mM TES pH 7.5. The fractions which contained the EGI core were combined and concentrated using the Amicon stirred cell concentrator mentioned above.

Part 2. EGII Catalytic Core

It is contemplated that the purification of the EGII catalytic core is similar to that of EGII cellulase because of its similar biochemical properties. The theoretical pI of the EGII core is less than a half a pH unit lower than that of EGII. Also, EGII core is approximately 80% of the molecular weight of EGII. Therefore, the following purification protocol is based on the purification of EGII. The method may involve filtering the UF concentrated broth through diatomaceous earth and adding (NH4)2S04 to bring the solution to 1M (NH4)2S04. This solution may then be loaded onto a hydrophobic column (phenyl-sepharose fast flow, Pharmacia, cat #17-0965-02) and the EGII may be step eluted with 0.15 M (NH4)2S04. The fractions containing the EGII core may then be buffer exchanged into citrate-phosphate pH 7, 0.18 mOhm. This material may then be loaded onto a anion exchange column (Q-sepharose fast flow, Pharmacia, cat. #17-0510-01) equilibrated in the above citrate-phosphate buffer. It is expected that EGII core will not bind to the column and thus be collected in the flow through.

The present invention will be explained in more detail by way of the following further Reference Example 3 and Example 1. In the Example 1, reference is made to units of β-glucanase activity. This activity is measured by the following assay.

One unit of β-glucanase activity is the amount of enzyme which liberates one μmol of reducing sugars (expressed as glucose equivalents) from the substrate in one minute under the conditions described.

Reagents

1. 1.0% (w/v) β-Glucan Substrate

Moisten 1.0 g of mixed-linked β-(1,3)(1,4) -glucan (Biocon Biochemicals Ltd.) with 10 ml of ethanol. Add about 80 ml of distilled water and warm up to boil. Continue boiling with vigorous stirring until β-glucan is dissolved and a turbid solution is obtained. Cool the turbid solution to room temperature continuously stirring and adjust the β-glucan concentration to 1.0% (w/w) by adding distilled water. Filter through a glass fibre filter paper.

The substrate can be used immediately. The substrate is usable for two days if stored in a cold room.

2. 0.1 M Sodium Acetate Buffer, pH 5.0

-   -   A. Dissolve 8.2 g of anhydrous sodium acetate in distilled water         and fill to 1000 ml with distilled water.     -   B. Dissolve 6.0 g of glacial acetic acid in distilled water and         fill to 1000 ml with distilled water.

Adjust the pH of solution A to 5.0 with solution B.

3. Dinitrosalicylic Acid (DNS) Reagent

Suspend 20.0 g of 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid in about 800 ml of distilled water. Add gradually 300 ml of sodium hydroxide solution (32.0 g of NaOH in 300 ml of distilled water) while stirring continuously. Warm the suspension in a water bath (the temperature may not exceed +48° C.) while stirring until the solution is clear. Add gradually 600 g of potassium sodium tartrate. Warm the solution (the temperature may not exceed +48° C.) if needed until solution is clear.

Fill to 2000 ml with distilled water and filter through a coarse sintered glass filter.

Store in a dark bottle at room temperature. The reagent is stable for a maximum of 6 months.

Procedure 1. Enzyme Sample

Equilibrate 1 ml of enzyme dilution (in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0) at +30° C. Add 1 ml of β-glucan substrate, stir and incubate at +30° C. for exactly 10 minutes. Add 3 ml of DNS-reagent, stir and boil the reaction mixture for exactly 5 minutes. Cool the reaction mixture in a cold water bath to room temperature and measure the absorbance at 540 nm against distilled water.

2. Enzyme Blank

Incubate 1 ml of β-glucan substrate at +30° C. for 10 minutes. Add 3 ml of DNS-solution and stir. Add 1 ml of enzyme dilution (in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer, pH 5.0) and stir. Boil the mixture for exactly 5 minutes. Cool the reaction mixture in cold water bath to room temperature and measure the absorbance at 540 nm against distilled water.

The absorbance difference between the enzyme sample and the enzyme blank should be 0.3-0.5.

3. Standard Curve

Prepare standard solutions from anhydrous glucose in distilled water. Glucose concentration in the standards should be 0.1-0.6 mg/ml. Pipette 1 ml of glucose standard solution, 1 ml of distilled water and 3 ml of DNS-reagent into a test tube. Stir and boil for exactly 5 minutes. Cool in a cold water bath to room temperature and measure the absorbance at 540 nm against standard blank. In the standard blank, glucose solution is replaced by 1 ml of distilled water. Otherwise standard blank is treated like glucose standard.

Plot glucose concentration as a function of absorbance. New standard curve is prepared for every new DNS-reagent.

Calculation

The β-glucanase activity of the sample is calculated according to the following equation: ${{Activity}\quad\left( {U/g} \right)} = \frac{\left( {\left( {{A(X)} - {{A(O)}1 \times k} + C -} \right) \times 1000 \times {Df}} \right.}{{MW}_{glu} \times t}$ wherein:

-   -   A(X)=absorbance of the enzyme sample     -   A(O)=absorbance of the enzyme blank     -   k=the slope of the standard curve     -   C°=the intercept of glucose standard curve     -   1000=factor, mmol->μmol     -   Df=dilution factor (ml/g)     -   MW_(glu)=molecular weight of glucose (180.16 mg/mmol)     -   t=reaction time (10 minutes)

The Reference Example 3 makes reference to the measurement of the viscosity reducing activity of β-glucanase. This activity is measured by the following assay.

Principle

β-glucanase catalyses the hydrolysis of β-glucan which results in reduction of viscosity of β-glucan solution. Reciprocal specific viscosity as a function of time is linear function at the initial moment of the reaction. Using the slope of the linear curve β-glucanase activity can be determined. Reciprocal specific viscosity is determined using a capillary viscosimeter.

Apparatus

-   Ostwald capillary viscosimeter (Brand, No 11, 75-100 sec) -   Water bath controlled at 30° C. -   Magnetic stirrer -   Stop Watch -   Glassinter filters no 3 and 4 -   Magnetic stirrer with hotplate     Reagents     1. 0.5 M Acetate Buffer, pH 4.0

Dilute 30g of glacial acetic acid (BDH AnalaR 10001) into 900 ml of distilled water. Adjust the pH to 4.0 with 2.5 g of NaOH (Merck 6498). Fill with distilled water into 1000 ml.

2. 0.05 M Acetate Buffer, pH 4.0

Dilute 100 ml of 0.5 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0 into 800 ml of distilled water. Adust pH if needed to 4.0 with 1 M NaOH or glacial acetic acid. Fill to 1000 ml with distilled water. Filtrate through glassinter filter no 4.

3. β-Glucan Solution

Weigh 1.0 g mixed-linked β-(1,3)(1,4)-glucan (Biocon Biochemicals) in a tared beaker. Add approx. 6 ml of ethanol and mix with metallic mixing rod until the mixed-linked β-glucan has become totally wet. Add approx. 80 ml of distilled water, mix with magnetic stirrer and warm up solution to boil. Keep boiling until the mixed-linked β-glucan has totally dissolved. Ensure that there is no material on the walls of the beaker. Cool the solution to room temperature while continuously stirring. Add 10 ml of 0.5 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0. If needed adjust pH to 4.0 with 1 M NaOH or glacial acetic acid. Add distilled water until the total weight of the substrate solution is 100 g. Filtrate with glassinter filter no 3. Store the substrate solution maximum for two days at +4° C.

Procedure

1. Determination of Reciprocal Specific Viscosity

Before activity determination ensure that viscosimeter is clean by rinsing with distilled water and acetone (in this sequence). Dry the viscosimeter by removing acetone with compressed air or in vacuum.

All samples, substrate solution and viscosimeter have to be equilibrated at 30° C. for at least 15 minutes before determination.

Reciprocal specific viscosity follows equation 1 $\begin{matrix} {{1/\mu_{sp}} = \frac{\mathbb{d}T_{0}}{{\mathbb{d}T_{s}} - {\mathbb{d}T_{0}}}} & \left( {{Equation}\quad 1} \right) \end{matrix}$ whereas

-   -   1/μ_(sp)=reciprocal specific viscosity     -   dT₀=falling-time of acetate buffer (in seconds)     -   dT_(s)=falling-time of sample solution (in seconds)

The falling-time for solutions follow equation 2 dT _(i) =T ₂ −T ₁ −h   (Equation 2) where

-   -   dT_(i)=falling-time of solutions     -   T₂−T₁=time used by the solution to fall between upper and lower         marks in the capillary (in seconds)     -   h=Hagenbach factor

Hagenbach Factors: (dT_(i)) Falling-time S h <54.2 1.0 54.3 −57.3 0.9 57.4 −60.5 0.8 60.6 −65.5 0.7 65.6 −70.8 0.6 70.9 −78.5 0.5 78.6 −88.9 0.4 89.0 −105 0.3 105 −135 0.2 135 −240 0.1 >240 0

Start the determination of the falling-time with a clean and dry viscosimeter by pumping 7.5 ml of solution to the capillary so that the surface of the solution exceeds the upper mark of the capillary. Determine with stop watch the time needed for the solution to fall between upper and lower marks in the capillary.

2. Determination of Falling-Time for Acetate Buffer

Determine the falling-time (dT₀) for 0.05 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0, as described above whenever β-glucanase activity is determined.

3. Adjustment of β-Glucan Solution

The initial reciprocal specific viscosity in the hydrolysis of β-glucan has to be 0.13. The viscosity in the β-glucan solution varies from batch to batch and this has to be compensated by varying the ratio of β-glucan solution and sample so that the initial viscosity is correct.

Make 5 different β-glucan/0.05 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0, mixtures by pipetting β-glucan (A) 5.0-6.5 ml and respectively 2.5-1.0 ml of 0.05 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0, to make the total volume of each mixture to be 7.5 ml. Determine the viscosities of these solutions and calculate the reciprocal specific viscosities.

Plot the reciprocal specific viscosity as a function of β-glucan. From the graph determine the amount of β-glucan that corresponds to a reciprocal specific viscosity value of 0.13. This β-glucan amount will be used later on in all β-glucanase activity determinations with this β-glucan solution.

Initial viscosity of β-glucan solution has to be determined whenever β-glucanase activity is determined.

4. Determination of β-Glucanase Activity

Pipette β-glucan volume (A) determined as described above to the test tube and equilibrate at 30° C. for at least 15 minutes. Add V ml (V=7.5 ml-A) of enzyme sample diluted in 0.05 M acetate buffer, pH 4.0 and equilibrated at 30° C. for at least 15 minutes. Start the stop watch. Mix the solution properly and transfer it to the viscosimeter. Determine falling-time dT_(s) 4-5 times during 20-30 minutes from the mixing of the solutions.

The determinations have to be done from at least two different dilutions and with at least 3 parallel determinations from each dilution. Proper dilution of the sample depends on enzyme mixture product and end feed to be assayed. The dilutions are indicated separately. For enzyme mixtures the total dilution factor is typically 1/2000-1/15000 and for end feeds 1/5-1/20.

Calculations

Calculate the reciprocal specific viscosities according to equation 1. Plot the reciprocal specific viscosity as a function of hydrolysis time (in seconds).

β-glucanase activity is determined as an increase of reciprocal specific viscosity (IRV) in one minute, equation 3. $\begin{matrix} {{\beta\text{-}{glucanase}\quad{{activity}\left( {{IRVU}/g} \right)}} = \frac{k \times D \times 60}{V}} & \left( {{Equation}\quad 3} \right) \end{matrix}$ where

-   k=slope of the curve -   D=total dilution factor -   60=conversion factor, s->min -   V=sample volume     Literature

The Institute of Brewing (1979) J. Inst. Brew, 85, 92-94.

Analyse av β-glukanaseaktivitet ved viskosimetrisk metode, Norges Veterinaerhogskole.

REFERENCE EXAMPLE 3

The first trial which was undertaken was to compare the efficacy in vitro of several different cellulases having an enriched content of endoglucanases in comparison with whole cellulase. Thus, seven different enzyme preparations were prepared the first from naturally occurring T. longibrachiatum and the second-seventh from genetically modified strains thereof in accordance with the following Table 1: TABLE 1 Enzyme Preparation Strain Genotype Whole Cellulase EGI⁺ EGII⁺ EGIII⁺ CBHI⁻ CHBII⁻ Enriched EGI EGI⁺⁺⁺ EGII⁺ EGIII⁺ CBHI⁻ CHBII⁻ Enriched EGI.Δcbd EGI.Δcbd⁺ EGI⁺ EGII⁺ EGIII^(+ CBHI) ⁻ CBHII⁻ Enriched EGII EGI⁺ EGII⁺⁺⁺ EGIII⁺ CBHI⁻ CBHII⁻ Enriched EGIII EGI⁺ EGII⁺ EGIII⁺ CBHI⁻ CBHII⁻ Purified EGIII EGI⁺ EGII⁺ EGIII⁺ CBHI⁻ CBHII⁻

In the above Table 1, the strain producing enriched EGI contains multiple EGI encoding genes. Similarly, the strains producing enriched EGII and EGIII respectively contain multiple copies of the EGII and EGIII encoding genes.

The enriched EGI, enriched EGII, enriched EGIII and purified EGIII enzyme preparations were obtained by following the procedures described in PCT WO 92/06209. Purified EGIII was the same as enriched EGIII, except that the supernatant containing the secreted EGIII was subjected to the PEG purification procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,841 to remove xylanase activity. Truncated EGI core was produced according to the techniques described in Reference Example 1 and purified in accordance with Reference Example 2.

The viscosity reducing activity on soluble mixed-linked barley β-glucan was measured for each of the above enzyme preparations in accordance with the assay described above.

The results of this testing are illustrated in the graph of FIG. 5. Since T. longibrachiatum β-glucanase is dosed as a feed additive on the basis of activity measured by the DNS reducing sugar assay method, enzyme addition for the viscosity-reducing activity assay was standardised by this procedure.

The results illustrated in FIG. 5 demonstrate that the viscosity-reducing activity of whole cellulase is significantly higher than that of each of the enriched endoglucanase preparations regardless of pH.

EXAMPLE 1

Thirteen groups of broiler chickens, each initially including a minimum of 49 chickens, were fed with the barley-based feed set out in Table 2 between 8 and 21 days of age. Feed intake and body weight gain were measured between 8 and 21 days. TABLE 2 Ingredients Percent Weight Barley 58.56% 585.63 Soybean ml 48 31.63% 316.26 Soy oil 6.07% 60.65 Salt 0.29% 2.90 DL Methionine 0.28% 2.76 Lysine HCl 0.04% 0.44 Limestone 1.41% 14.06 Dicalcium Phos 1.23% 12.31 VIT/MIN 0.50% 5.00 TOTAL 100.00% 1000.00

The nutritional value of the above feed can be subjected to computer analysis using for example the programme “Format” available from Format International. This provides an analysis of the nutrient content of the feed including for example the expected nutritional levels of various metabolites. The results of such an analysis for the feed of Table 2 is set out in the following Table 3. TABLE 3 Barley-Based Diet Nutrient Target Value Crude protein % 22.00 22.00 Poult ME kcal/kg 3000.00 3000.00 Pig DE Kcal 3363.16 Calcium % 0.90 0.90 Phos % 0.66 Avail Phos % 0.40 0.40 Fat % 7.28 Fibre % 4.00 Met % 0.58 Cys % 0.37 Met + Cys % 0.95 0.95 Lys % 1.25 1.25 His % 0.52 Tryp % 0.24 0.30 Thr % 0.80 0.82 Arg % 1.40 1.44 Iso % 1.01 Leu % 1.59 Phe % 1.11 Val % 1.10 Gly % 0.99 Phe + Tyr % 1.89 Na % 0.15 0.15 Cl % 0.29 K % 0.96 Linoleic acid % 1.00 3.00 Na + K + HCl 2.29

The barley-based feeds fed to twelve of the groups of chickens were supplemented by varying amounts of each of the enzyme preparations set out in the above Table 1. Each of the enzyme preparations was tested at a β-glucanase activity concentration of 120 units/kg of the feed and 240 units/kg of the feed. The β-glucanase activity was measured using the β-glucanase activity assay described above. The diet of the thirteenth group, the control group, was not supplemented with any of the enzyme preparations.

Results of these various tests are set out in the following Tables 4 and 5. The results set out in Table 4 are for diets supplemented with 120 units of β-glucanase activity per kg of feed whereas the results set out in Table 5 are for feeds supplemented with 240 units of β-glucanase activity per kg of feed. The results set out in the Tables 4 and 5 provide the body weight gain, the feed conversion ratio and the viscosity in the gastrointestinal region of the various groups of broiler chickens. The results have been adjusted for mortality. TABLE 4 BWG (g) FCR Viscosity (cps) Control 329 1.72 15.3 Enriched EGI 358 1.60 12.6 Enriched EGI.Δcbd 437 1.42 10.5 Enriched EGII 396 1.50 13.6 Enriched EGIII 356 1.66 6.0 Purified EGIII 332 1.85 7.9 Complete Cellulase 381 1.62 10.3

TABLE 5 BWG (g) FCR Viscosity (cps) Control 329 1.72 15.3 Enriched EGI 376 1.60 14.5 Enriched EGI.Δcbd 395 1.57 5.6 Enriched EGII 377 1.70 11.6 Enriched EGIII 423 1.54 8.1 Purified EGIII 401 1.56 7.7 Complete Cellulase 404 1.66 6.4

From the above results, it can be seen that the body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and viscosity for the control group without enzyme supplementation were relatively poor. In comparison with the results for whole cellulase, enriched EGI is more effective in terms of FCR when used at a dosage of 240 units/kg of feed. The same is also true for enriched EGIII and purified EGIII. On the other hand, enriched EGII provides superior results at 120 units/kg of feed. Finally, the most preferred enzyme preparation, which is the enriched EGI.Δcbd provides superior results at both 120 and 240 units/kg of feed. This enzyme preparation deleted for the cellulose binding domain provides superior results at both concentrations tested as compared to enriched natural type EGI. These results also strongly suggest that the different enzyme preparations have different dose optima in terms of their effects on body weight gain and feed conversion ratios.

By comparing the results of Reference Example 3 and Example 1, it can be seen that different results are obtained between in vitro and in vivo testing. Thus, in the in vitro testing of Reference Example 3, the viscosity reducing activity of whole cellulase was higher than that for the enriched preparations of EGI, ECII, EGIII and EGI.Δcbd.

In contrast, the in vivo test results of Example 1 indicate that each of the enzyme preparations tested has at least one advantageous characteristic of improved body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and/or reduced viscosity in the gastrointestinal region as compared to whole cellulase at both concentrations tested. The preferred enzyme preparations are EGI.Δcbd and EGIII.

The effects demonstrated above of reducing feed conversion ratios and/or gastrointestinal viscosities can also be obtained when feeds prepared in accordance with the present invention but based upon other cereals such as wheat, triticale, rye and maize are fed to other animals such as turkeys, geese, ducks, pigs, sheep and cattle, as well as chickens. 

1. The use of a composition as a feed additive which comprises one or more endoglucanases, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the composition, of a cellobiohydrolase.
 2. The use according to claim 1, wherein the composition is free of any cellobiohydrolase.
 3. The use according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more endoglucanases are obtainable from a fungal source.
 4. The use according to any preceding claim, wherein the feed additive comprises at least one of EGI, EGII, EGIII, or a derivative of any thereof.
 5. The use according to any preceding claim, wherein the endoglucanase(s) is/are obtainable from a genetically modified strain of the fungus Trichoderma.
 6. The use according to claim 5, wherein the genetically modified strain is derived from T. longi brachiatum, T. reesei or T. viride whose genome has been modified so that it is enriched in its production of one or more endoglucanases and/or unable to produce one or more functionally active cellobiohydrolases.
 7. The use according to claim 6, wherein the genome of the genetically modified strain is also unable to produce functionally active EGI and/or EGII.
 8. The use according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the one or more endoglucanases are EGI which lacks the cellulose binding domain and/or EGII which lacks the cellulose binding domain.
 9. An enzyme-based feed additive which comprises at least one of EGIII, EGI which lacks the cellulose binding domain and EGII which lacks the cellulose binding domain, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the additive, of a cellobiohydrolase.
 10. An enzyme-based feed additive comprising a cereal-based carrier, one or more endoglucanases, and 0-20% by weight, based upon the content of cellulase proteins in the additive, of a cellobiohydrolase.
 11. An enzyme-based feed additive according to claim 10, wherein the cereal-based carrier is one or more of milled wheat, maize, milled soya or a by-product of any of these materials
 12. An enzyme-based feed additive according to any of claims 9-11, wherein the additive further comprises one or more additional enzymes selected from a xylanase, a protease, an α-amylase, a glucoamylase, a lipase, a pectinase, a mannanase, an α-galactosidase, an α-arabinofuranosidase, an α-arabinofuranosidase and a phytase. 